Support at Home AT-HM
Co-Contribution Estimator
Trying to work out what a participant may need to contribute towards assistive technology (AT) or home modifications (HM) under Support at Home?
Use the free Way Forward OT AT-HM Co-Contribution Calculator to estimate the participant contribution, based on the cost of the AT or home modification and their applicable contribution rate.
It is designed as a quick practice tool for Occupational Therapists and other aged care professionals working with the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme.
This calculator separates any AT-HM quote into the co-contribution, the government-funded amount, and the amount drawn from the participant's tier. It covers both standard and 'no worse off' contribution arrangements, and it flags where a rate cannot be estimated without a Services Australia assessment.
Last updated: September 2026
How do AT-HM co-contributions work?
Under Support at Home, a participant may be required to make a contribution towards some of the services they receive.
For assistive technology and home modifications, the amount the participant contributes depends on their individual contribution rate and the rules applying to the AT-HM Scheme.
This means two people receiving the same piece of equipment or home modification may not necessarily pay the same amount themselves.
For OTs, this becomes particularly important when discussing recommendations with participants.
Knowing that an item costs $5,000 doesn't necessarily tell the participant what it will cost them.
The calculator above is designed to make that conversation easier.
Where do I find the participant's contribution rate?
The calculator does not determine a participant's official contribution rate.
Use the contribution rate that has been determined for the participant under Support at Home. If you don't know their rate, this should be confirmed before relying on the estimate for planning or decision-making.
You can still use the calculator to explore different scenarios where the contribution rate is not yet known.
For example, you might compare what a proposed home modification could mean at different contribution rates before discussing the final cost with the participant and their provider.
A co-contribution estimate isn't the same as funding approval
Calculating a participant's likely contribution does not mean that the recommended assistive technology or home modification has been approved or funded.
There may still be questions about:
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the participant's available AT-HM funding
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their approved AT or HM funding tier
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whether the proposed item is eligible under the AT-HM Scheme
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whether assessment, prescription, quotes or trials are required
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whether additional evidence is needed
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how associated wraparound services will be funded.
The calculator answers one question:
If this intervention costs $X and the participant's contribution rate is Y%, what might the cost split look like?
The clinical reasoning, prescription and funding process still sit around that calculation. Knowing the numbers doesn't necessarily tell you what to document.
You may still be working through questions such as:
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What do I provide when there isn't enough funding to complete a trial yet?
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How do I document the need for AT or home modifications when the participant needs a higher funding tier?
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What information does the provider actually need from my report?
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When am I identifying a need, and when am I actually prescribing an intervention?
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How do I document risks, implementation requirements and wraparound services clearly?
These are the practice problems the Way Forward OT AT-HM Documentation Bundle was designed to address. This practice resource gives you practical tools for navigating the documentation around AT and home modifications under Support at Home.
It includes:
AT-HM Needs and Evidence Summary Template
For situations where you can identify the clinical need but aren't yet in a position to prescribe — for example, where approval isn't in place, the available tier is insufficient, or funding for trials or quotes is not yet available.
AT/HM Prescription Template
A structured prescription template designed around the information providers need to understand and action an AT or home modification recommendation.
Quick Reference Guide
A practical reference covering the AT-HM Scheme, funding tiers, co-contributions, assessment and prescription considerations, and common practice questions.
Want to understand the AT-HM Scheme, not just calculate the contribution?
The AT-HM Scheme has changed more than how equipment and home modifications are funded.
For Occupational Therapists, it affects how we assess, document, prescribe, communicate with providers and help participants navigate what can sometimes be a complicated pathway from identified need → funding → prescription → implementation.
Way Forward OT develops practical education and resources to help OTs make sense of what these changes mean in day-to-day community aged care practice.
About this calculator
The Way Forward OT AT-HM Co-Contribution Calculator is an educational practice tool designed to assist with estimating potential participant contributions for assistive technology and home modifications under the Australian Government's Support at Home program.
It does not determine a participant's official contribution rate, confirm eligibility, approve funding or replace advice from the participant's registered Support at Home provider or relevant Australian Government guidance.
Last reviewed: September 2026
Support at Home and AT-HM program guidance can change. Always check current Australian Government guidance when making funding or practice decisions.